Senator Sheldon Whitehouse from Rhode Island has unveiled a discussion draft of his proposed bill aimed at enhancing the offshore wind development process in the state. Released on Tuesday, the draft is designed to solicit input from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including federal, state, and local agencies, as well as industries, developers, and communities in the vicinity.
Named the Create Offshore Leadership and Livelihood Alignment by Operating Responsibly and Together for the Environment (COLLABORATE) Act, this legislative proposal targets the improvement of offshore wind development procedures with the ultimate goal of increasing the share of renewable energy in Rhode Island's electricity grid.
The COLLABORATE Act focuses on refining the permitting process and fostering better coordination and cooperation among agencies, developers, and stakeholders. Additionally, it proposes the establishment of a more comprehensive approach to transmitting electricity generated by offshore wind farms. The bill also aims to enhance support for fisheries and other entities that might be impacted by these developments.
Senator Whitehouse emphasized the significance of harnessing the abundant resource of offshore wind to meet climate and clean energy objectives. He cited the Block Island Wind Farm as a successful model for offshore wind development and expressed the need to overcome barriers hindering further growth. Whitehouse highlighted that his proposed legislation draws inspiration from Rhode Island's collaborative approach, applying it to the federal interagency process while addressing permitting and transmission challenges.
